Sewing Sunday

Hi there,

I was in a sewing mood this morning but not now it's waned as the day has gone on.

I was thinking that today might be the day to start my Memory Quilt from Alan's shirts but I got them all out of the drawer and I decided I am not quite ready to start cutting into them yet, so I have left them out and will see how I feel at a future date.

As a friend pointed out, I wouldn't be destroying them by cutting them, but creating something new that I can have to feel close to Alan, which is very true, but I am not ready to do it. At least I have been thinking about it though so I think that is progress. He did have some lovely shirts. My friend always described them as 'Alan's QI' shirts as he said that the panel on QI always wear similar shirts.......



Anyway - this led my brain on a path of dragging out my 'Unfinished Patchwork' box where I found the beginnings of a Liberty print Log Cabin Quilt I started in 1994. I decided to make that my mission this year - to finish it.

I sorted out the strips I already had cut and cut a few more.


I've just done another 3 blocks to add to the quilt. Each row is 8 blocks. I am trying to do light and dark. I know strictly speaking that I should just make all the blocks first and not join them until the end but I never do it the way you are supposed to. I am too stubborn.

I am in the mood for some hand sewing so am going to go and stick a movie on and do something - not sure what.....

Oh, and I also found a hexagon Granny quilt I started and an experimental one which I really like and can see as a cushion if I make another 2 blocks.

Sewing A Go-Go

Well, my sewing room is looking alot better now. Still need that trip to Ikea but I have now at least got some space and have actually been sewing.


I decided to make a cot quilt with some Kaffe Fassett squares I have had for a while and some linen which I have re-purposed from hemming some curtains. I am quite pleased with the result.





This one is my second one that I am working on now.

I also decided to make myself a new apron based on my very favourite Muji one which is now getting pretty tatty. I made it from some heavy linen I had left over from an upholstery project and lined it red gingham and used the offcuts from the patchwork strips I used on the quilts to edge the pockets. I also added a large wooden vintage button on the back to do it up. I am rather pleased with it.


It is good to finally do some sewing again.

By the way the creatures from my previous post will soon be available to buy from Made4Aid. All proceeds going to the Haiti Disaster Fund via Oxfam.

At least today there has been some spring weather today, it is much warmer than of late which is great. I took a few pictures when I was out on my walk this morning.

Creatures

This is my latest few Harris Tweed creatures. Cute?

New Year Greetings!

Well hello all.

Happy New Year!

I actually feel pretty positive about this coming year. Last year was a bit of a blur. I think I needed a whole year to just 'be' but now I want to start to concentrate on my life and changing it. I want that and I know that is what Alan would also have wanted for me. He was always so supportive and encouraging of all my handmade endeavours.

I have quite a few plans but first...........I STILL have not sorted out my sewing room. That is bad. I have been here for nearly 6 months now. I seem to have had a sub conscious mental block about it but now I am ready.

I do need some storage though but have found this in Ikea which will be just perfect and it's cheap too! The desk and the shelves are just over £100 in total. In white I think.

I have some time off work so that is my plan, I will post some updates.

The cold is costing me an arm and a leg in heating - unfortunately I have a pre-paid meter as part of my rental agreement. In the summer it was great I was hardy spending anything but I have spent over £120 since mid December and it's not pay day for another 3 weeks and I only have £28 left on the meter at the moment which isn't going to last long!!!

Lesson learnt - add some in the summer to build up a chunk of credit. Now I know how much it costs I can allow for next winter.

The cold weather continues. Here in Ramsgate we haven't had that much snow in comparison to the rest of Kent, but today we are due some. Also we are having very bitter gale force winds. i went for a walk yesterday and my cheeks were numb in 5 minutes so I went to Caffe Nero instead - lightweight! I love the cold and have happily withstood -35 but that was a dry cold so it doesn't get right to your bones like the damp cold here does.

Anyway, hope everyone had a good Christmas. Be back soon.